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Blenheim water tower back online

The scaffolding around Blenheim’s water tower will soon come down following a $1.7-million refurbishing project.

The interior has been removed and replaced and the exterior displays a new logo, which was revealed Friday morning.

“It is back online,” said Tim Sunderland, general manager for the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission. “This week, the operational staff, they filled it. We went through a disinfection process and it actually came online yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.”

The project started in March and the price came on budget, though it reopened later than expected, said Sunderland.

“We had additional work that we had to do inside for welding, so that delays the project a little bit,” he said. “When we applied the epoxy coating – the paint – we had to make sure it cured and dried before we went back in service.”

While the tower was down, the pumping system handled water distribution for the area 24 hours a day. Normally, the water tower provides pressure for residents while the pumps are down.

Coun. Trevor Thompson, who sits on the PUC, said it is important to keep the tower in good shape both for water distribution and for presentation.

“When you do any travelling, it’s the most visible piece of infrastructure in South Kent,” he said. “You see the town of Blenheim for miles, so anybody coming through is obviously going to know where they are.”

One part of the project was the installation of a hydro-dynamic mixing system inside the tank, which Sunderland said helps reduce water age.

“The water will flow up and then flow down and depending on usage, the mixing system then forces the water in one inlet and draws it out in a different exit which then decreases water age, which keeps water fresh and (there is) less concern for chlorine residuals,” he explained.

Other features include new antenna supports, upgrades to the lighting system, minor upgrades to mechanical equipment within the base of the structure and installation of additional health and safety features and a guardrail system on the tank roof.

The Chatham water tower underwent a similar renovation in 2014 for $2.2 million. Dresden’s tower is next slated for a refurbishment.

The Blenheim tower was originally constructed in 1999 for $1.8 million, according to the PUC.

Coun. Frank Vercouteren was on council at the time and also witnessed the old Blenheim water tower being demolished.

He said he’s glad the project is finished, but he’ll be happier once the scaffolding and remaining tarp comes down because the town will look “like it’s alive.”

“I think it’s security for the community. They know we’re going to have a good system,” he said.